Project: genome editing of restriction factors to confer resistance to HIV-1. The human versions of restriction factors APOBEC3G and TRIM5alpha are unable to efficiently target HIV-1, because of 1) an inability of human TRIM5alpha to physically bind its target, the capsid protein of HIV-1; and 2) the degradation of human TRIM5alpha by the specialized HIV-1 […]

The PML (promyelocytic leukemia) protein, also called TRIM19, is an interferon-induced antiviral factor. It directs the formation of nuclear bodies that are rich in heavily SUMOylated proteins and are often associated with viral replication sites. PML can “silence” (prevent the expression of) several viruses, including retroviruses, and its action is often counteracted by viral proteins. […]

On the coast of British Columbia, both eelgrass meadows and Pacific salmon species are declining, yet eelgrass community dynamics and reliance of juvenile salmon on these communities are poorly understood. We will assemble the first large-scale dataset from monitoring efforts of coastal BC organizations in order to assess eelgrass community diversity and structure across environmental […]

The research team will investigate how plants and animals are affected by forestry. We will measure nutrients in the plants (specifically carbon and nitrogen) in areas with forest harvest and nearby Terra Nova National Park. We will collect plant samples to analyse in the lab for carbon and nitrogen content. We will also live-trap and […]

The goal of our proposal is to clarify the impacts of low doses of radiation on key biological aspects in a short-lived animal model (the cricket). Current assessments of radiation exposure mainly emphasize cancer. Our model will allow us to more broadly assess important features like growth, maturation, survivorship, reproduction and life span as well […]

Catch-and-release has been promoted as a strategy to relieve pressure on fish populations, yet target species respond to the practice in different ways, and the same fish may respond differently to multiple captures. These nuances are critical in recreational fisheries targeting endangered species, particularly in areas where individuals are likely to experience multiple captures. Recent […]

Manufacturing of consistently high quality products is the commitment of the pharmaceutical industry. To achieve this, new products must be thoroughly tested and the results meet government-approved product specifications. Improving existing and adopting improved analytical technologies for product testing ensure the production of safe and effective products. This is particularly critical for the manufacturing of […]

Ticks contain many different disease-causing bacteria and viruses, including the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Multiple infections with these other pathogens in addition to Borrelia cause more severe illness. For many of these pathogens there are no or limited diagnostic tools available to detect the pathogen. This project includes production of a new product, “a […]

We will investigate how plants change leaf vein structure to adapt to environmental changes triggered by climate change. Leaf venation is important for plant nutrient transport and efficient water use. Since making veins requires considerable energy, plants regulate vein density to suit the environment, increasing vein number and connectivity with decreasing water. Different leaf forms […]

Cells in our body secrete round structures lined by cell membrane under normal as well as stressful conditions. These “structures” or “micro vesicles” are termed as exosomes. They contain information from parent cells that can be transferred to other cells, thereby acting as cell-to-cell communication units. In this study I aim to identify the presence of […]

New species may arise when related animal populations diverge in their plumage and song mating signals and no longer respond to the signals of other populations. In many tropical birds, species limits are unclear because of a lack of studies on plumage, song, morphological, and genetic variation among closely-related populations. Even fewer studies investigate whether […]

Currently Metagenom Bio Inc. offers contract research services in environmental microbial species profiling. Applications for this service include the monitoring of biogas operations, greenhouses, and mining processes. Metagenom Bio wishes to offer solutions that use microbes to generate value-added products. Biogas reactors can break down waste products and produce methane, or natural gas. This methane […]